USPS to issue five new stamps picturing freshwater fishing lures March 13

By Charles Snee

On March 13 in Springfield, Mo., the United States Postal Service will issue a set of five stamps illustrating popular freshwater fishing lures.

A first-day ceremony for the colorful nondenominated (73¢) forever commemorative stamps is scheduled for 11 a.m. Central Time at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, 500 W. Sunshine St., in Springfield.

John DiPeri, vice president of regional processing operations for the Postal Service’s Western Region, will host the ceremony.

Attendees are asked to register online with the USPS. All attendees are required to register individually, according to the USPS.

Pictured above is a preliminary image of the five stamps that show Sarah Cramer Shields’ photos of five different lures: crankbait, popper, spoon, spinner and wakebait. Note that the stamps picturing the popper and spinner lures are somewhat longer than the other three stamps.

Also illustrated above is a preliminary image of the pane of 20 featuring four of each of the stamps. The order of the lures is the same in rows 1 and 3 and rows 2 and 4.

“FRESHWATER FISHING LURES” is printed in three different colors in the wide selvage (margin paper) at the top of the pane.

“From the earliest handmade wooden lures to modern swimbaits made of advanced materials, there are countless freshwater fishing lures available, each designed to meet the specific needs of the angler,” the Postal Service said in a Feb. 6 press release.

Greg Breeding, an art director for the USPS, designed the Freshwater Fishing Lures stamps using Shields’ photos. He was attracted to the project (which he received in spring 2023) because of his experiences with fishing.

“Although I am no longer an active fisherman, I grew up going fishing with my dad,” Breeding said. “His tackle box was filled with lures, including most of those in this issuance, but he wouldn’t let me use them. He insisted that I fish with earthworms. But I always had my eye on those fishing lures!”

With so many lures to choose from, Breeding had to be selective during the research process.

“We researched many, many fishing lures to determine those that might best represent the subject matter,” Breeding said. “We considered old classics and new arrivals but settled on ...

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